I have a big problem with this episode, and its the way Sheridan goes around deceiving the non-aligned worlds to get them to act as he likes. Though we know plenty of stuff like that goes on in real life, to begin working towards the Alliance like that doesn't seem like an honest foundation on which to build it, when the Alliance makes such a big deal about principles. This episode also portrays the non-aligned aliens as pretty stupid people (in fact, quite a few of the episodes do, and its rare we see an individual Drazi or Markab or whatever act like they have a modicum of intelligence). So yeah, not a big fan of this episode. At least its got the Minbari plot to keep it going.

Eh, how many soldiers believed (and some still do) Saddam Hussein had something to do with 9/11, simply because BushCo mentioned 9/11, War on Terror and Saddam Hussein in the same sentence over and over again. Bush almost never actually said Saddam had anything to do with it, he just mentioned them in a sentence together and let people figure out for themselves Saddam was involved. So, if our military, and a large portion of the civillian population in this country can believe that, I don't see how this manipulation of Sheridan's makes them anymore stupid then the human condition.

Sheridan tried going down the right path with the Ambassadors, but they simply weren't getting it. So, Sheridan did the same kind of thing Military and Political human leaders have always done. I believe this was JMS way of saying 500 years isn't going to have any impact on this part of the Human condition. Was it honorable, no not really, but, it did get the job done that ahd to be done. And as pointed out, he really didn't actually lie, he merely gave them a circumstance to misinterpret.

Well, Oz did have a step up on believing in the Supernatural, being a werewolf and all

The time at which Oz learned of the truth of the existance of vampires, he wasn't a werewolf yet. He learned of vampires in "Surprise" when Buffy, having not yet arrived at the Bronze, flung a vampire through a window and dusted the vamp in front of everyone who had gathered for Buffy's surprise birthday party. He became a werewolf two episodes later in "Phases" after having been bitten by his cousin.

I admit, Sheridan giggling to himself was rather ridiculous. I did enjoy seeing how he took the truth and let it be misinterpreted to accomplish what needed to be done.

I felt Delenn's distress over the destruction and death that took place on her world. In this situation, one does get the impression that Lennier is closer to her than Sheridan can be.

The plot of this episode, with its twists and turns, was quite suspenseful. The religious caste brings dishonour to itself, even turning on one of its own. Neroon seems to play a positive role - as always, his subtle humour is enjoyable! - but is shown to be serving his own deceitful purposes at the end. How disappointing...

Lennier is the hero of the day. Once more his deep love for Delenn is evidenced in his actions, motivating him to do the right thing for her sake. "In her world, we are better than we are." Knowing what comes in future episodes, I can't help but think ahead to when he will do something harmful out of love for her later. The visual similarities between the scenes are striking.

Neroon seems to play a positive role - as always, his subtle humour is enjoyable! - but is shown to be serving his own deceitful purposes at the end. How disappointing...

Surely the point here is that this is deliberately left ambiguous, and then we discover in the next episode that this very thing (i.e. the content and tenor of his communication with Shakiri at the very end) was part of what he discussed with Delenn `off-camera`, part of their plan - all of which worked perfectly, except for Neroon's last minute sacrifice (because, I surmise, he had a profound change of heart at that moment - his "Damascus Road experience", if you like).

Another thing to consider is that the "villian" never sees himself as a villian. He wouldn't see it as disappoining to have given his caste an edge, if he felt that the alternative was bad for the Minbari.

I have a big problem with this episode, and its the way Sheridan goes around deceiving the non-aligned worlds to get them to act as he likes. Though we know plenty of stuff like that goes on in real life, to begin working towards the Alliance like that doesn't seem like an honest foundation on which to build it, when the Alliance makes such a big deal about principles. This episode also portrays the non-aligned aliens as pretty stupid people (in fact, quite a few of the episodes do, and its rare we see an individual Drazi or Markab or whatever act like they have a modicum of intelligence). So yeah, not a big fan of this episode. At least its got the Minbari plot to keep it going.

I'm glad this is the first post, because I have the same problem with this episode. Well, I think the idea that ALL of the representatives of the Non Aligned Worlds are bumbling buffoons bothers me more than the deception, but that whole storyline kinda rubs me the wrong way. And Sheridan smirking to himself and not explaining anything doesn't do it for me either.

That said, I'm a big fan of the Minbari storyline. I always like Neroon scenes. His is a great character. This isn't the first time that a Neroon story coincides with what I consider to be a lesser story in the same episode (see also Grey 17 is Missing). The Minbari civil war is a very interesting plot. I like how Delenn calls upon Neroon to end it. An excellent move. The other members of the religious caste plotting against Delenn, willing to sacrifice themselves over something that they have assumed to be true based on fairly little evidence, also very interesting. I guess it sort of mirrors the Non-Aligned Worlds plot, where they're just assuming they're getting shafted and acting rather hasty and thoughtless because of it. Lennier, ever steadfast and stalwart, saving the day for everyone. And he's lying, not so much to protect those other religious Minbari's honor, but to protect Delenn. I guess that's also allowed It's an interesting choice and I'm not entirely sure if I agree with it. I enjoy watching the embarrassed looks on everyone's faces when Delenn talks about how they are her steady rock. Especially Guy Siner, who has just the right face for that sort of thing. It's fairly hard to imagine that Delenn isn't picking up on this, but I suppose she comes from an environment where she would never expect such dishonesty ... Or maybe she does know, but chooses not to say anything, because surely they have learned their lesson?

There's another great bit with Londo reflected in mirrors in this episode.